Lee County gaining German auto parts maker, over 600 jobs

TUPELO, Mississippi – A German automotive supplier will employ hundreds in a new facility in Lee County.

Wednesday afternoon, local and state economic development leaders will gather at the Tupelo Lee Industrial Park South in Shannon to make the announcement.

State and local leaders declined to give details about the project, and said more information will be released at the 1:30 p.m. ceremony.

The Daily Journal has learned the company is Grammer AG of Amberg, Germany, and the project will bring more than 600 jobs.

The facility is in line with the company’s long-range plans.

For example, early last year, Grammer said its Automotive division was set to expand in North America, which generates about 20 percent of its overall automotive business.

Grammer currently has two plants in Mexico that produce headrests, armrests and center consoles. In 2012, Grammer’s revenue from interior components in North America rose 30 percent. The interior components are used by U.S. automakers as well as German automakers on the continent.

• Seating Systems, which provides driver’s seats for trucks and off-road vehicles, including tractors and agricultural machinery, construction machinery and forklifts, as well as driver and passenger seating for regional and high-speed long-haul trains, coaches and buses.

In November, Grammer said its Automotive division saw “very dynamic growth,” powered by higher sales in China and North America. The company also said its Seating Systems division “could also achieve higher revenues in the North American off-road market.”

It is unclear who Grammer will supply, but more details will be revealed Wednesday.

The company will occupy the 75,000-square-foot shell building in the industrial park, where Wednesday’s ceremony will be held.